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Auto 4x4 issue

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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 03:58 PM
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Auto 4x4 issue

My auto 4x4 high does not seem to be engaging on my 01 F250 but when I try 4x4 low it works. Any ideas? I was told that there is some sort of speed sensor that may be bad but not sure where to start looking. Any help is appreciated.
 
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 04:13 PM
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First of all...check to see if power is getting to the shift motor when 4 wheel high is selected.
 
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 04:28 PM
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Without the engine running I can hear it "switching" when I turn it to 4x4 high and low. It will engage to 4x4 low but not 4x4 high. I figured this would eliminate a vacuum issue??
 
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 04:48 PM
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Shift motor is electric....hubs use vacuum to engage and disengage.

How have you verified that high range is not engaging?
 
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 05:07 PM
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I think you may be assuming 4 low is working because of the gear change. Your hubs are probably not working at all and you have 2X4 in low range. Switch to 4 low and try turning the half shafts by hand. If they spin free you have a hub issue. If they don't spin, try the same thing in 4 high and see what happens.
 
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 05:24 PM
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We've had snow covered roads all week which is why I've noticed this. 4x4 low does work for sure and it's not just the gear change. When I get out and turn the hubs to manual, 4x4 high works so I know it's getting power to the front. Shifting from neutral, reverse and back into drive seems to get 4x4 high to work briefly but always disengages after a short period. I will check the shafts tonight when I get home to double check. You would think it's a hub/vacuum issue but since it works in 4x4 low I'm at a loss. My vents all work fine as well.
 
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 05:29 PM
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May be an issue with dried and hardened grease in the hubs. My 2000 had not been used much before I got it and now, with use, it us staying engaged better. The grease may be stopping yours from fully engaging in auto but the manual position forces it to engage.
 
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 05:40 PM
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Thanks. How bad is it to leave the hubs in manual for a few days?
 
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 06:09 PM
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Not an issue as long as you have 2 wheel drive selected inside. Fuel mileage may suffer just a bit is all.
 
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Old Jan 11, 2013 | 03:33 PM
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After playing around a little bit on my street I noticed even 4x4 low disengages at a higher RPM. Has anyone ever heard of a speed sensor on the TC that may go bad?
 
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Old Jan 11, 2013 | 08:00 PM
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Four wheel drive does not disengage until you select a different option inside. Still sounds like your hubs need work. Also....Don' t use 4 wheel drive on hard dry pavement....it could cause issues.
 
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